Community in UnityThursday, December 1 at 5:31 p.m.City Hall DomeThe Escondido Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday celebration. For more information visit escondidochamber.org

San Diego Pug Rescue Christmas PartySaturday, December 3 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.Grape Day ParkAnnual fundraiser for the Pug Rescue of San Diego. Enjoy a day of fun with your pug! This event features pictures with Santa, dog related vendors and is a family friendly free event.

Commissioners Cup soccer tournamentDecember 3 & 4 at Ryan ParkCal South Soccer will be hosting the Commissioners Cup youth soccer tournament at Ryan Park on December 3 and 4. Most teams are from San Diego, Los Angeles and Riverside. 2500 players and spectators are expected to attend.

Triple Crown girls fast pitch softball tournamentDecember 3 & 4 at Kit Carson ParkTriple Crown Christmas Qualifier and Toy Drive girls fast pitch softball tournament on December 3 and 4 at Kit Carson Park. Teams will be traveling in from Northern California, Southern California, Arizona, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, and Canada. There will be a total of 210 teams. 5000 players and spectators are expected to attend.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Major Projects Update

Commercial / Office:

Escondido Research and Technology Center – East (ERTC) (Developer: James McCann) – No change from the following update reported last week: This is a 72,000 square foot medical office building proposed on the east side of Citracado Parkway across from Palomar Medical Center located at 2130 Citracado Parkway. A grading permit has been issued by the Engineering Division. Building plans have been submitted for plan check. The applicant has recently requested to install a temporary paved parking lot in this area to serve the hospital. A grading plan for the temporary parking lot was approved June 13, 2016.

Escondido Research and Technology Center – West (ERTC) (Developer: James McCann) – No change from the following update reported last week: This is a 144,000 sq. ft. development involving two medical office buildings proposed on the west side of Citracado Parkway across from Palomar Medical Center located at 2097 – 2175 Citracado Parkway. A grading permit has been issued by the Engineering Division. Esgil and the Planning Division have approved the building plans. A fee deferral agreement has been signed and the building permit was issued June 23, 2016. A tentative parcel map (TPM) for office condominiums was approved on July 12, 2016. A Final Parcel Map was submitted by the applicant on July 25, 2016, and is currently being reviewed by Planning and Engineering. A modified building plan to add a linear accelerator is now being reviewed by staff.

Centerpointe 78 Commercial (Developer: Lars Andersen, Pacific Development) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 45,650 sq. ft. supermarket and restaurant located at 925 N. Broadway. The project was approved by the City Council on December 9, 2015. Demolition of the former auto dealership has been completed down to the foundation. Grading plans have been submitted to Engineering and Planning for review. Building plans for the supermarket were submitted to the Building Division on September 14, 2016, and are being reviewed by Building and Planning staff. A boundary adjustment application to place the two buildings on separate parcels went to Planning on October 14, 2016.

Westfield Theater (Developer: Kim Brewer, Westfield) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 10-auditorium movie theater totaling 57,600 sq. ft. located on the north side of the Westfield Mall. The project was approved by the City Council on November 4, 2015.

Felicita Development, LLC (Developer: Katherine Park, Creative Design Associates) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 140-unit hotel, and a gas station or office/residential care facility at the southeast corner of Felicita Rd. and Gamble Lane. The applicant and staff met with the architect to discuss building elevations, 5-story height limitations and site design issues given the existing wetland constraints on the property. Additional technical analysis and coordination is needed to address traffic, biology, water and sewer service, geotechnical and storm water concerns, along with a market study for the proposed uses. The applicant met with the wild life agencies and is responding to technical studies needed to complete the application.

Springhill Suites (Developer: Raj Patel, San Bernardino Hospitality LLC) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 4-story, 105-suite hotel totaling 73,300 sq. ft. located at 200 La Terraza Drive. The hotel includes a small conference room and an enlarged lobby for serving continental breakfast. A revised set of grading plans has been approved since February and grading for the hotel site has now started. Building plans have been approved by Esgil, Fire, Planning and Engineering. The building permit is ready to be issued.

Escondido Auto Park Association (Developer: Tim Brecht, Escondido Auto Park Association) – No change from the following update reported last week: The association is proposing to upgrade the existing electronic message sign along I-15. An application for a new regional market sign and an amendment to the Sign Ordinance to increase the allowable display area for a regional market sign was submitted to the Planning Division on May 6, 2016. The proposed sign would be located in the same location as the existing sign at a slightly lower height (73.5 feet) with approximately the same overall dimensions. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the new regional market sign and amendment to the Sign Ordinance on July 12, 2016. The City Council approved the new regional market sign and amendment to the Sign Ordinance on August 17, 2016. Building plans are currently being reviewed by staff and a building permit should be issued soon.

Escondido Hyundai (Developer: Abe Razick, Escondido Hyundai) – A plot plan has been approved for a temporary showroom and small vehicle sales lot for Escondido Hyundai at 2025 Auto Park Way. The service department will be across the street at 229 S. Andreasen Drive. The showroom building was formerly a bank and is being converted into the Hyundai dealership as a temporary facility while they look for a site to build a new dealership. The Economic Development Department and Planning Division will be working with the owner to locate a suitable site for their new dealership.

Industrial

StorQuest (Developer: The William Warren Group, Inc.) – This proposed project at 220 W. Mission Avenue involves a 102,500 sq. ft., four-story self-storage facility development with three in-line shops and a small office. The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the proposed General Plan Amendment, Planned Development and Zone Change on August 9, 2016. The project was approved by the City Council on September 14, 2016. A grading plan was submitted for review on November 3, 2016.

Victory Industrial Development (Developer: Scott Merry, Badiee Development) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project involves two industrial buildings totaling 91,000 sq. ft. (one building 55,500 sq. ft., second building 35,500 sq. ft.) located at 2005 Harmony Grove Road and a zone change from residential to Planned Industrial consistent with the updated General Plan. The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the proposed General Plan Amendment, Planned Development and Zone Change on August 9, 2016. It was approved by the City Council on September 14, 2016. Building plans were submitted into plan check the following day and are now being reviewed by staff.

Micro-Filtration Reverse Osmosis (Developer: City of Escondido Utilities Department) – No change from the following update reported last week: The proposed project involves a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the development of a new City facility to provide advanced treatment for recycled water produced at the City of Escondido’s Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility (HARRF) for agricultural uses with the capacity for future treatment for indirect potable reuse. The facility would be sized for a total production capacity of 2.0 million gallons per day (mgd). A previous proposal for development of the facility at 2512 East Washington Avenue has now been shelved while staff pursues development of the facility on an alternative site located on the southeastern corner of Washington Avenue and Ash Street. On July 20, 2016, the City Council approved a first-phase design contract with Black and Veatch for the design effort need to bring the new site design to the Planning Commission for CUP consideration in December 2016. If the Planning Commission approves the CUP, a contract for the remaining design work will be brought forward to the City Council. Site and building design concepts have been developed and two neighborhood meetings were held on October 12, 2016 and November 3, 2016. A 30-day public review period for the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration ended on November 27, 2016. A Planning Commission hearing on the proposed CUP has been scheduled for December 13, 2016.

Wastewater Collections Yard Expansion (Developer: City of Escondido Utilities Department) – No change from the following update reported last week: The project involves development of 1.8 acres of a larger, approximately 15.4-acre site for the construction of a new wastewater collections yard and maintenance facility for the City’s Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility (HARRF) at 1521 S. Hale Avenue. The proposed facilities will consist of three separate pre-fabricated metal buildings 3,735 sq. ft. - 5,670 sq. ft. for collections; work bays and workshops for regular maintenance of vehicles and equipment. The project would require the processing of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and rezone. The Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval on May 10, 2016. It was approved by the City Council on June 15, 2016. Grading, building and landscape plans are now being reviewed by staff for permit issuance.

Escondido Self-Storage Facility (Developer: Brandywine Homes, Inc.) – No change from the following update reported last week: A modification to a Master and Precise Development Plan for revisions to the design of a previously approved, but not yet constructed, self-storage facility with direct access to Brotherton Road near the intersection with Cranston Drive. The proposed project was submitted on May 11, 2016, and proposes approximately 77,500 SF of storage area in two buildings. The larger building is two stories over a basement with all interior loading. The smaller building is one-story with some exterior roll-up doors. The project site is also part of a five-lot Tentative Map for four residential lots and one commercial lot (Tract 900) that is concurrently being processed for an extension of time. Planning staff approved the environmental technical studies needed for the update of the previous environmental review on July 12. Architecture was approved by staff Design Review on July 14 and an addendum to the previous MND has been prepared. The project was recommended for approval by the Planning Commission on September 13, 2016, and the City Council approved the project on October 12, 2016.

Innovative Industrial Development (Developer: Scott Merry, Badiee Development) – This project involves a unique proposal in which two potential industrial development scenarios are being analyzed for the 5.76-acre site located at 1925 Harmony Grove Road, directly in front of the “Victory Industrial Development” described above. The first development scenario involves a single tenant building with 98,500 square feet and 197 parking spaces. The alternative scenario envisions three industrial buildings roughly within the same footprint as the single tenant proposal. The three industrial buildings would include a total of 86,000 square feet with 234 parking spaces. An industrial planned development application has been submitted along with a zone change from residential to Planned Industrial consistent with the updated General Plan. A Mitigated Negative Declaration was issued on November 7, 2016 and the public review period will close on November 28, 2016. A Planning Commission hearing for this project tentatively has been scheduled for December 13, 2016.

HARRF Biogas to Energy Project (Developer: City of Escondido Utilities Department) – This project is a proposed Conditional Use Permit that will utilize the existing digester gas created during the sewage treatment process to power two generators with a combined output of 1,200 kW of power. The gas which is currently being flared on the site will be redirected for a useful purpose and used to offset the HARRF’s demand on utility natural gas and electricity from SDG&E. The project was submitted in September 2016 and is scheduled to be considered currently being reviewed by staff.

Institutional

John Paul the Great Catholic University (Developer: Kevin Meziere, John Paul the Great Catholic University) – A Conditional Use Permit to expand the campus and student enrollment at 155 W. Grand Avenue was approved by the Planning Commission on December 8, 2015. The proposal includes improvements to the former H. Johnson site at 131 S. Broadway for studio and classroom space, and the former bank at 200 W. Grand Avenue for administrative offices and a student resource center. The proposed expansion would also increase the student enrollment from 300 to 1,200 students over the next several years. The university hosted an open house for the student resource center on November 28, 2016.

Escondido United Reformed Church (Developer: Brent Cooper) – No change from the following update reported last week: The project is an expansion for a phased, multi-year, master construction/development plan for a new 12,250 SF two-story sanctuary, conversion of existing buildings to a social hall, demolition of an existing social hall/classroom building (approx. 4,620 SF) and construction of approximately 5,250 SF for a nursery, multi-purpose room, classrooms for Sunday school at 1864 N. Broadway. Revised architectural plans were unanimously approved by the Planning Commission on June 14, 2016. The grading plans are now in plan check.

Emmanuel Faith Community Church (Developer: Jim North, EFCC) – No change from the following update reported last week: The project is a phased, multi-year construction and renovation program for the Emmanuel Faith campus that includes demolishing the existing children’s rooms and constructing a new nursery and children’s building for up to 200 children, construction of a two-story training center/youth complex, renovation of the existing high school/college building, conversion of the existing education center into an office and meeting room building, demolition of the existing café and construction of a new café, demolition and construction of a new maintenance building, construction of a new gathering plaza with baptismal outdoor water feature, and reconstruction and expansion of the existing worship center from 1,600 seats to 2,000 seats. The Planning Commission approved the proposed modification to the Conditional Use Permit for the campus on June 9, 2015. Grading, building and landscape plans for the first phase (45,414 square foot new children’s building) are being reviewed by staff and Esgil.

Residential

Oak Creek (Developer: Jason Han, New Urban West) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 65-unit single family development located at the southeastern corner of Felicita Road and Hamilton Lane approved by the City Council in 2015. The LAFCO Board unanimously approved the annexation on October 5, 2015, and the annexation has been recorded. No grading or improvement plans have been submitted by the developer at this time.

Amanda Estates (Developer: Jason Han, New Urban West) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 22-unit single family development on Amanda Lane approved by the City Council in 2015. The LAFCO Board approved the reorganization (annexation) at their meeting on August 3, 2015, and the annexation has been recorded. No grading or improvement plans have been submitted by the developer at this time.

Pradera (Developer: Moses Kim, Lennar Homes) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project consists of a 70-unit single family development located at the northeastern corner of Ash Street and Lehner Avenue. The developer has obtained building permits for five phases involving 44 homes and those phases are under construction. Homebuyer interest in the product remains high and sales are progressing. All five final maps in the project have now recorded. Precise grading plans for all phases have now been approved.

Lexington (Zenner) (Developer: Eric Johnston, KB Homes) – The project is a 40-unit, single-family development at the northeastern corner of Lehner Avenue and Vista Avenue. The three model homes on the eastern side of Ash Street are now open and sales are progressing as expected. A rough grading permit was issued for the project site on August 18, 2016 and grading is underway. The final map is scheduled for City Council approval on November 16, 2016. The precise grading plan for Phase 1 is nearing approval as are the landscape plans for the community.

Stella Park Condominiums (Developer: Edward Kaen, ETP, LLC) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 65-unit, three-story townhome Planned Development located at 2516 S. Escondido Blvd. The project includes three separate recreation areas for residents. The City Council approved the project on April 27, 2016. No grading or improvement plans have been submitted by the developer at this time.

Wohlford (Developer: Jack Henthorne) – This project is a 55-unit single family development located on Bear Valley Parkway east of Encino Drive. A Specific Alignment Plan for Bear Valley Parkway detailing the proposed roadway design is under review. The EIR consultant has submitted the first screencheck version of the Draft EIR for staff review. An application for a Development Agreement has recently been submitted by the applicant.

Latitude II (Developer: Peter Zak, Lyon/NCA) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 112-unit multi-family development, located at the northeastern corner of Centre City Parkway and Washington Avenue, and approved by the City Council on August 19, 2015. A Final Subdivision Map has been submitted for review and is awaiting approval of a boundary adjustment for a property exchange with the adjacent motel owner. Grading and building plans are nearing approval.

Canyon Grove Estates Tract 932 (Developer: John Vance, Shea Homes) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 179-lot single family residential development on the north side of Vista Avenue east of Conway Drive. The final architectural design and landscaping plans for the Precise Plan application were approved by the Planning Commission on June 14, 2016. A rough grading permit has been issued and grading is underway. The Final Map has been approved by the City Council. Precise grading plans for the model complex and a model home permit have been approved. Building plans for the construction of eight model homes were submitted on May 18, 2016 and are expected to be issued this week. The applicant is coordinating the plan review for off-site street improvements on Ash Street with the County’s Department of Public Works.

Safari Highlands Ranch (SHR) (Developer: Jeb Hall, Concordia Homes) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 550-unit single family development located east of the Rancho San Pasqual community and north of the San Diego Safari Park. The project involves 1,100 acres including annexation and a Sphere of Influence update for a master planned community with parks, trails, recreation center, fire station and open space. Planning and Engineering extensions of staff have been funded by the applicant and retained to assist the City in processing the project. The City Council approved the consultant contract for preparing the EIR on March 23, 2016. The contract planner has been meeting with the consultant, Michael Baker International (MBI), and has started review of first draft sections of the EIR. While the EIR is generally on schedule, there have been some changes to the site plan, which will affect the EIR schedule. The changes include the elimination of the “water factory” for wastewater treatment, elimination of the public park, changes to the entry road which would now be private instead of public, and relocation of the fire station to the former public park site. These changes will require the applicant’s civil engineer to make a number of revisions to the tentative map, but are not anticipated to affect the proposed development envelope or the number of proposed lots. A revised tentative map depicting the site plan changes was submitted on October 17, 2016, and is being reviewed by staff and the contract planner.

High Pointe Tract 693-J (Developer: Russell Schaeffer, True Life Communities) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a custom-home development with 39 estate lots accessed from Mesa Rock Road. Staff has prepared a bond and fee letter based on the proposed grading and landscape plans, and has sent it to the applicant.

Del Prado (Developer: Kerry Garza, Touchstone Communities) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 113-unit townhome-style Planned Development located at the southwestern corner of Brotherton Road and the Centre City Parkway frontage road. The project includes a recreational facility, pool, and open space areas. Staff worked through various site design and utility issues with the applicant prior to scheduling the project for a public hearing. The City Council approved the project on May 11, 2016. No grading or improvement plans have been submitted by the developer at this time.

701 San Pasqual Valley Rd (Developer: Bob Stewart) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a 19-unit single family development located at 701 San Pasqual Rd/1201 E. 5th Avenue (formerly Tract 898) on 7.2 acres. The application is under review and a letter detailing additional comments and submittal requirements was forwarded to the applicant. Additional information and revised plans were submitted to the Planning Division on June 13, 2016. Planning Division has reviewed the submittal and informed the applicant that it is still incomplete.

Veterans Village (Developer: Veterans Village of San Diego) – No change from the following update reported last week: This project is a mixed-use development involving a 54-unit affordable multi-family residential apartment project for military veterans and their families. It includes on-site administration office, business center, club house and other support spaces for the residents; and a small commercial component to support training opportunities offered at the facility at 1556 S. Escondido Boulevard. Building plans have been submitted for review and comment; the grading plans and landscaping plans have been approved. A demolition permit for the historic structures on-site has been issued following completion of the required mitigation and work is expected to commence soon.

Escondido Gateway (Developer: Greg Waite, Integral Communities) – This project is a mixed-use development involving 126 residential units within three, 4-5 story buildings with indoor and outdoor recreational areas and an opportunity for a small (1,000 sq. ft.) commercial/flex space on 2.6 acres (48 dwelling units/acre) located at 700 W. Grand Avenue (former Police Station) across the street from the Escondido Transit Center. Plans were submitted for the project involving a Specific Plan Amendment, Tentative Map, Planned Development and Development Agreement. The City Council approved the project on October 12, 2016. Grading plans and a final map were submitted on November 17 and November 21, 2016, and are currently being reviewed by staff. The Development Agreement has recorded.

The Villages at Escondido Country Club (Developer: Jason Han, New Urban West, Inc.) – The project would redevelop the former 109.3-acre Escondido Country Club golf course property with a new residential development consisting of 392 dwelling units including single-family detached and attached duplex units. The proposed project density is 3.6 dwelling units per acre with a minimum residential lot size of 2,555 square feet. The development would include 46 acres of open space including a landscaped greenbelt with a four-mile trail system linking park features. Other proposed amenities include a new clubhouse building, swimming pool, gym, tennis/pickle ball court, restaurant and bar and banquet facilities. The proposed General Plan Amendment, Specific Plan, Vesting Tentative Map and Zone Change applications and plans were submitted to the Planning Division on October 31, 2016. The plans are now being routed to City departments and agencies for comments. The developer has retained Dudek to prepare the Draft EIR for the project. The developer will fund a contract planner working under the direction of the Planning Division to assist the City in processing the project. A kick-off meeting was held on November 15, 2016, to commence project-related discussions between Planning staff and their contract planner, the applicant and the EIR consultant. A letter indicating the project application is incomplete was sent to the applicant on November 30, 2016.

Building Division:

The Building Division issued 48 permits during this three-day holiday week with a total valuation of $519,244.

21 photovoltaic permits were issued for the week. The Building Division has issued 1,196 solar permits this year compared to 1,285 issued for the same time last year.

Counter technicians had a busy week, assisting, on average, 32 customers per day with 42 customers on Monday and 20 customers on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Building inspections averaged 40 inspections per day. 45 inspections were requested on Tuesday. There were seven inspections held-over on Wednesday.

To date the Building Division has processed 3,575 permits, compared to 3,380 permits last year to date. Current building valuation for all issued permits to date is $58,650,054 compared to $42,814,347 for last year.

65 new single family dwellings permits have been issued this year compared with 20 issued same time last year.

The construction of City Plaza, the three-story mixed use building at 300 S Escondido Blvd. is continuing and the first concrete pour for the podium slab will be placed this week.

Underground plumbing inspections have been approved for seven of the eight model homes at Shea Homes, Tract 932.

The Solutions for Change affordable housing project at 1560 S Escondido Blvd. has received foundation and masonry grout inspections.

Roof framing is proceeding at The Meadowbrook three-story apartment building with underground garage at 2081 Garden Valley Glen.

SDG&E is completing a utilities upgrade at Greencrest Mobile Home Park at 541 W 15th and will be starting upgrades soon at Town and Country Mobile Home Park at 2280 E Valley Pkwy and Citrus Gardens, 211 S Citrus Ave.

Escondido Disposal is receiving underground inspections for their conveyer pits associated with their large expansion and remodel.

In-house plan review is very busy and plans are averaging close to 25 days on the initial review and 10 to 15 days on resubmittals.

Building staff continues to review the new 2016 California Building Codes to identify major changes in anticipation of the new code adoption on 1/1/2017. Staff will be attending available training on the new codes.

The Calvin Christian new chapel and auditorium at 2000 N. Broadway has received masonry grout inspections for their exterior walls.

The Talk of The Town new restaurant project at 444 Brotherton has received rough framing inspection corrections and is anticipating final shell building inspection request soon.

Code Enforcement:

As of November 28, 2016, the total number of open code enforcement cases is 506 cases. During the prior week, 70 new cases were opened, and 43 cases were closed, with a backlog of an additional 22 cases not yet opened for assignment and investigation.

There were no illegal signs confiscated during the weekend.

Last week, the Business License Division issued 10 new licenses and received 14 new applications, in addition to 98 renewals. 15 businesses closed out their licenses.

ENGINEERING

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

2015/2016 Street Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project: The contractor is concentrating on installing the Slurry Treatment in the Old Escondido Historical District as well as the Westside Community between 5th Avenue to the north and 17th Avenue to the south. The striping contractor has arrived to install the permanent striping along El Norte Parkway between Ash Street and Broadway on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT

Pradera - Lennar Communities: The construction of the water main along Stanley Avenue is complete, the tie in to the existing facilities is scheduled for November 29 through December 2, 2016. Plan reviews and approvals continued on this project as follows: Engineering and Utility staff continue to work closely with Lennar’s engineer on the design of the proposed 20” waterline in Conway Dr. The San Diego County Water Authority approved an alignment for the 20” waterline in their easement subject to potholing their aqueducts and providing more detail on the proposed jack and bore procedure to install the 20” waterline.

Lexington Model Homes - KB Homes:The installation of the storm drain system has begun for the project.

The Final Map mylar was signed and forwarded to the City Clerk for her and the Mayor’s signature and then on to the County Recorder for recording

The In-Tract improvement plans are close to approval; waiting on SDCWA approval

The Offsite Improvement plans are close to approval; just need last adjacent owner to sign Right of Entry to reconstruct driveways off Vista Avenue

City Plaza: Escondido Boulevard at 3rd Avenue

The contractor poured the second floor slab on Tuesday of this week.

Tract 932 - Canyon Grove Shea Homes Community:

No changes from the following reported last week: The contractor is continuing the mass grading for the 179 housing units. The Ash Street/ Vista Avenue improvements which are the jurisdiction of the San Diego County is at a standstill until elements of the dry utilizes have been relocated along Ash Street. The construction of the off- site water main along Century Way has been completed with the start of water quality testing continuing this week. Work on the new traffic signal installation at the Ash Street / Sheridan Avenue intersection is ongoing with the pot holing of existing utility crossings at the Ash/ Sheridan intersection.

The 3rd submittal of the Precise Grading plans for Phases 1-4 for both planned neighborhoods (eight phases and 78 homes total) are ready for approval.

The Final Map was approved by City Council on October 19 and will be recorded when the mylars with all required signatures are submitted.

Solutions Housing Project 1560 S. Escondido Boulevard:

The construction of the remaining water line lateral is complete, the water quality testing has begun this week. The contractor will begin to backfill utility trenches along the frontage so that the steel plates may be minimized.

The work for installing the new water main in Washington Avenue is complete, water quality testing is continuing this week. The Grading Permit has been issued and mass grading of the entire site began on Monday, November 28, 2016. There will be several weeks of grading needed prior to the importing of material to balance the site.

No changes from the following reported last week: The grading contractor has started to fine grade the site in preparation of certifying the pad and compaction effort for all material placed.

Veterans Village 1556 S. Escondido Boulevard:

The demolition of the existing structures began last week.

Talk of the Town:

Contractor installed the final driveway approach along Brotherton as well as starting the installation of irrigation on site. The temporary meter release was issued for the restaurant portion of the project.

Tract 877 – Bernardo Ave. by Ambient Communities:

This project is a 13 lot single family residential project located at the cul-de-sac end of the Bernardo Ave. and the I-15 frontage road and will extend it and reconstruct the emergency access gate further south. The project was recently reactivated and revised to meet new storm water standards and optimize the site grading.

The 4th submittal of the Final Map was made on November 18 and was returned November 28 with very minor changes

The Rough Grading plan was approved on November 30

The 4th submittal of the Improvement plans was made on October 25, and was returned November 15

Bonds were submitted on November 16 and approved by City Attorney on November 29.

Tract SUB16-0001 - Gateway Condominiums by Integral Communities:

This project is a 126 Unit residential condominium redevelopment of the old Police Station property located across from the North County Transit Sprinter and Bus Station and is addressed as 700 W. Grand Ave. The project will also include a small retail/café area and is also required to construct traffic controlled pedestrian crossings of both Grand Ave. and W. Valley Parkway.

Tract 848 – Idaho Ave.:

This project is a nine lot residential subdivision located off Idaho Ave. just east of Juniper St. This is a private road hillside development and with a Tentative Map approved approx. 10 years ago has had to show compliance with current SUSMP requirements. A new owner and engineer have resubmitted this project after a period of about 15 months with no action.

The 1st submittal of the Grading and Street Improvement plans were returned to the project engineer on November 21.

The 1st submittal of the Final Map, revised SWQMP, and Landscape plans were returned to the engineer on November 29.

Victory Industrial Park:

This is a 91,000 SF light industrial development located at 2005 Harmony Grove Rd. and is comprised of two buildings on roughly five acres. A boundary adjustment with three neighboring industrial properties to the northwest will complete the project site. Although the project is in the City’s Water District a Service Exchange Agreement with Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District to provide water service has been negotiated. The site requires the import of roughly 67,000 CY of fill material to elevate the building pads for sewer service.

The 2nd submittal of the Grading plans and SWQMP were returned on November 28.

The 2nd submittal of the Improvement plans were made on October 21, and should be returned this week.

POLICE

Incidents

On 11/21/16 at 11:30 p.m., police communications received numerous 911 calls of gunshots fired in the area of 4th Ave. and Orange St. Witnesses stated they saw a gray pick-up speeding away from the area. Moments later, an officer located the vehicle and attempted to stop it. The vehicle did not yield and continued to drive, but ultimately stopped in the 500 block of W. Grand Ave. A felony car stop was conducted and three subjects were detained. One of the men in the car had a gunshot wound to his leg, and a bullet lodged in the vehicle. Officers located the scene of the shooting in the 300 block of S. Orange St. The shooting is believed to be gang related. The gunshot victim was taken to Palomar Medical Center and treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound. The investigation is on-going.

On 11/24/16 at about 12:48 p.m., an officer stopped a male juvenile who was acting suspicious and possibly involved in graffiti activity. While the officer was conducting his investigation, the juvenile became combative and took a swing at the officer and missed. The officer was able to subdue the juvenile with the assistance of another officer who sustained a minor injury to his hand. The seventeen-year-old male suspect was booked into Juvenile Hall for assaulting a peace officer.

On 11/24/16 at about 2:34 p.m., officers witness smoke coming from the area of Lake Dixon and responded to the area to investigate. Officers located a vegetation fire 100 yards northwest of the entrance to Dixon Lake, next to an avocado grove. Escondido and Cal-Fire Departments responded to battle the small blaze. Officers set-up traffic control points at the entrance to Lake Dixon and on La Honda Dr. CAL-Fire air support units also respond and were instrumental in quickly extinguishing the fire. The fire burned was about three acres and no injuries or property damage was reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

On 11/25/16 at about 5:46 a.m., officers responded to a call of a missing person. A woman reported that she and her 65-year-old mom were dropped off on Broadway near Lincoln Ave around 3:50 a.m. by her boyfriend. The subjects were all from Valley Center, but have family in Escondido. The mother walked away from the woman while she was getting things out of the car. The elderly woman has poor vision and was last seen in the 1400 block of N. Broadway. The initial search for the woman was unsuccessful. The investigating officer used social media, including Facebook and was able to locate the missing woman at an apartment in the 700 block of N. Fig St. The woman was located with family members and was doing well.

On 11/25/16 at about 5:20 p.m., police communications received multiple 911 calls of shots fired in the area of Fig St. and Mission Ave. An officer responding to the area saw a vehicle ramming the side of a large box truck on Washington Ave. The officer stopped both vehicles and detained the occupants. The vehicle was occupied by a male adult later determined to be a local gang member, and the box truck was occupied by two adult men delivering appliances. Officers determined the man driving the car was in possession of a stolen .45 Caliber semi-automatic pistol, which he fired multiple rounds at the box truck. The motive for the shooting is unknown and the investigation is on-going. The male suspect (on active probation) was arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility on multiple assault and weapons charges.

On 11/26/16 at about 7:30 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle in the area of Lake Wohlford Rd. and East Valley Pkwy that had been reported stolen in San Diego. The officer followed the vehicle up the Lake Wohlford grade where the driver eventually yielded on their own. Officers conducted a felony car stop and detained the driver and passenger without incident. The female driver was ultimately arrested for auto theft and drug offenses, and the male passenger was also arrested for drug offenses. Both suspects were booked at the Vista Detention Facility.

On 11/26/16 at about 10:18 p.m., an officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver of the vehicle sped away making some quick turns in an attempt to evade the officer. The officer locates the vehicle a few moments later in an alley between the 400 block West 6th Ave and 7th Ave. The driver fled from the vehicle into the neighborhood upon seeing the officer. A few minutes later a resident at in the area called 911 to report the suspect was in his yard on 7Th Ave. Officers apprehend the suspect without incident. Further investigation revealed the vehicle being driven by the suspect had been reported stolen. The suspect was arrested and booked at the Vista Detention Facility.